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New Waikato Regional Renal Centre officially opens

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Source: Waikato District Health Board

Kuini Nga wai hono i te po cuts the ribbon supported by Hon Tama Ponaki

Te Pureoranga – Waikato Regional Renal Centre was officially opened today (Sunday 16 February) with a ceremony at Waikato Hospital, attended by representatives from Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Members of Parliament, and the Māori Queen, Kuini Nga wai hono i te po.

Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, alongside the Hon Tama Potaka, officially opened the facility, cutting a ribbon and unveiling a plaque.

Local iwi Te Haa o te Whenua o Kirikiriroa, played a key role in the co-design of the new facility and gifted the name Te Pureoranga to the centre. The name reflects the purpose of the renal services: helping patients and their whānau access life-saving care, with the aspiration of achieving purification and restoration of physical and spiritual wellbeing.

Improving health infrastructure is a priority for Health New Zealand to ensure better access to timely, quality healthcare closer to home.

Executive Director Health NZ Reset Programme, Chris Lowry highlighted the significance of the new centre, acknowledging the contributions of those involved in its design and construction.

“Te Pureoranga gives us a purpose-built facility for renal patients and a long-term home that brings all renal services together as the central service for the Te Manawa Taki region,” she said.

The new facility provides 53 dialysis chairs (43 for hospital-based treatment and 10 for home-training patients). It also includes a whānau room, along with additional clinic and education spaces.

Dr Andrew Henderson, Health NZ Medical Director for Cancer and Chronic Conditions for Waikato, expressed pride in the new centre, noting its importance to patients and staff.

“This facility is a testament to our commitment to renal patients, who often face lifelong conditions.

“To my knowledge this is the largest integrated renal service building in Australasia, and having all our healthcare professionals – nurses, dietitians, social workers, podiatrists, psychologists and more – under one roof will make a significant difference in providing comprehensive, coordinated care.”

The new centre has been built to modern standards – achieving a Greenstar 5 rating and is fitted out with the latest clinical technology and equipment.

Te Pureoranga – Waikato Regional Renal Centre opened for patients on Monday 6 January 2025.

Currently, the renal service, located on the Waiora Waikato Hospital campus, takes care of over 900 patients across the Te Manawa Taki region.

Te Pureoranga was the first stage of a wider building programme, which includes a new adult acute mental health inpatient facility. The old Waikato Regional Renal Centre was located on the site where the new mental health facility is being built.

(left to right) Tumuaki Hone Thompson, Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, Charge Nurse Manager Nicky Hagan, Hon Tama Potaka

L-R Acting Director of Cancer and Chronic Conditions Gabby Reynolds, Head of Department Renal Dr Kannaiyan Rabindranath., Michelle Sutherland, Group Director Operations Hospital and Specialist Services – Waikato Shephanie Doe, Executive Director Health NZ Reset Programme Chris Lowry, Chief of Tikanga, Hauora Māori Services Mahaki Albert, Medical Director Cancer, Chronic Conditions and Radiology Dr Andrew Henderson, Charge Nurse Manager Renal Nicky Hagan

Te Pure Oranga – Waikato Regional Renal Centre official opening

MIL OSI

It’s raining, its pouring. Top of the South drivers, heed the weather warnings.

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

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Drivers in the top of the South Island are urged to keep a close eye in weather and road conditions tonight.

The Metservice has issued a Heavy Rain Warning for the Tasman ranges west of Motueka, with heavy rain forecast  for 10 hours from 9 pm tonight. This will affect State Highway 60 in Tākaka and Golden Bay.

A Heavy Rain Watch is also in force overnight for the Bryant and Richmond Ranges, including the Rai Valley. This will affect State Highway 6 between Nelson and Canvastown, and also State Highway 63  through the Wairau Valley.

Drivers must be prepared for wet weather driving and take extra care on the roads. Wet roads are slippery so road users should drive to the conditions – reduce speed, increase following distances, and avoid sudden braking.

Bad weather can also see roads closed at short notice. Drivers are encouraged to check road and weather conditions before they travel.

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New programme to grow manufacturing workforce

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Source: New Zealand Government

A new pilot programme connecting high school students with New Zealand manufacturers has launched, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk has announced.

“Manufacturing is a powerful economic player, contributing about 8.4 percent of New Zealand’s GDP and employing 10 percent of our workforce – but businesses are telling us skill shortages are curbing productivity,” Mr Penk says. 

“Manufacturing can supercharge our economic growth and strengthen our competitive edge on the world stage, if the sector is given the right support to thrive and increase its exports.

“That’s why our Government has teamed up with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa to establish an ‘earn as you learn’ pilot in Waikato. This offers high school students hands-on experience with local manufacturers, while earning a qualification and a paycheque.

“Students will spend two days in the classroom, three days working each week with a manufacturing business and leave with an NZ Certificate in Manufacturing Level 3. 

“It’s fantastic to see educators and industry leaders, supported by government, coming together to tackle practical challenges businesses are facing, and providing young Kiwis with the opportunity to forge a pathway into a rewarding career.

“This pilot is just one part of a broader partnership with Advancing Manufacturing Aotearoa, focused on supporting the sector to grow, innovate and foster new talent.

“I’m excited to follow the journeys of these students as they help shape the future of New Zealand manufacturing.”

Note to editors: 

  • The pilot will run for the duration of the 2025 Secondary School / Polytech year.

MIL OSI

Serious crash: SH 39, Otorohanga, Waikato

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police can advise a serious crash has closed both lanes on SH39, Ormsby Road near Puketotara.

A crash has occurred between a truck and caravan at around 11.20am.

Emergency services are responding to the scene and the road is completely closed and will be for some time.

Two people have serious injuries and are being transported to hospital.

Motorists are advised to avoid SH39 if possible and expect delays in the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

MIL OSI

Milestone reached for Takitimu North Link Stage 1 Road of National Significance

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Source: New Zealand Government

Construction of Takitimu North Link Stage 1, a new four lane expressway connecting Tauranga and Te Puna, has passed the halfway point, which is great news for economic growth and productivity in the western Bay of Plenty, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.  

“This is a huge undertaking, with two thousand people having worked on the project to date and 1,500,000m3 of earthworks moved so far”, Mr Bishop says. 
“Four of 10 bridges are already completed (Minden Road, Minden Gully off-ramp, Wairoa Road, Cambridge Road) and traffic is using the new bridges at Minden, Wairoa and Cambridge Roads. 

“Earthwork crews have now broken under the Cambridge Road and Minden Road bridges, meaning it’s now possible for the project team to ‘drive through’ the full length of the future expressway for the first time. 

Eight beams were installed at the Wairoa Awa (River) bridge recently, with 32 of a total of 80 beams now in place, spanning the awa and flood plains. 24 beams have been installed at the SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Road flyover bridge this summer, with nine left to install in the next two months.  

“At SH2/Fifteenth Avenue, crane pads are being built and piling will soon be underway to build the new bridge connection – this is the final structure to get underway on the project. 

“In other positive news for local road users, congestion is set to improve between Fifteenth Avenue and Welcome Bay in the near future, with $10.3 million of funding confirmed by the NZTA Board for Tauranga City Council (TCC) to design extra traffic capacity between the Tauranga CBD and the growing suburbs of Welcome Bay, Hairini, Ohauiti and Maungatapu. 

“These suburbs house 29,000 people and the local population is set to keep increasing. All these people need to cross the harbour to access services such as high schools, supermarkets and employment. 

“This project being led by TCC will help road users get there more quickly, by adding another traffic lane to the bridge by removing the footpath from the main structure, re-locating the path to a lightweight clip-on structure and utilising a dynamic lane system – the first of its kind in the Bay of Plenty. Sections of 15th Avenue will also be widened, adding capacity as a T2 lane.  

“It’s all about saving people travel time. By reducing congestion that extends onto the state highway, modelling shows it will save more than 750 vehicle-hours of congestion per day, which is an average of 2-3 minutes of peak travel time saving per vehicle.”

Note to editors:

The Takitimu North Link Stage 1 project is a Road of National Significance supporting economic growth and productivity in the western Bay of Plenty, by providing a reliable, resilient and safe expressway connection between Tauranga and Te Puna.  
Tolling was confirmed for the project in December 2024.
Current expected completion date is 2028.

MIL OSI

All roads lead to the new Piarere roundabout

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Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Road users can look forward to a more complete roundabout experience in Piarere, with the final permanent approach road towards Hamilton set to open.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) advises traffic is planned to be switched onto the new approach on Tuesday 25 February (weather permitting).   

Darryl Coalter, Acting Regional Manager – Infrastructure Delivery Waikato/Bay of Plenty says the switch will provide road users a taste of the finished product.    

“We’ve received positive feedback about the roundabout so far and we’re confident motorists will enjoy it even more when the final approach road is in action. It’s one step closer to a more efficient and safer intersection.”   

The roundabout at the intersection of State Highways 1 and 29 opened to traffic in September 2024 with 2 temporary approach roads in action, while work continued on the 3 permanent approaches. Two of the 3 permanent approach roads (SH1 from Tīrau, and SH29) opened to traffic in December 2024.    

No road closures or stop/go are needed for the switch onto the new approach road; however, motorists should prepare for minor delays in the area.  

The roundabout will be reduced to a single lane with traffic switched over one direction at a time, starting with the northbound lane first and the southbound lane by late afternoon. 

Mr Coalter says the project is on track to be completed in mid-2025, but there is still work to be done. 

“Work will continue on the central median and barriers on the Hamilton approach, before the focus shifts to the installation of a centre sculpture, landscaping and planting. 

“Prior to the switch, line marking will be undertaken under stop/go overnight from 8pm Monday 24 February until 4am Tuesday morning. Motorists should expect delays of around 10 minutes during this time.”  

Mr Coalter thanks motorists for their patience and asks drivers to stick to temporary speed limits and take extra care when travelling through the area while people adjust to the new layout.   

“We’re not far from the finish line now and we’re grateful for the support we’ve received from nearby residents and road users during this time.”

MIL OSI

Visitor arrivals up in 2024 – Stats NZ media and information release: International travel: December 2024

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Source: Statistics New Zealand

Visitor arrivals up in 2024 – 17 February 2025 – Overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand totalled 3.3 million in the December 2024 year. This was up 357,000 (12 percent) from the December 2023 year, according to data released by Stats NZ today.

Australia led the increase in visitor arrivals, up 127,000 (10 percent) from 2023. China followed with an increase of 97,000 (64 percent), and the United States with an increase of 32,000 (10 percent).

“There were just over 2,200 more international flights to New Zealand in 2024 than in 2023,” international travel statistics spokesperson Sarah Drake said.

“This included 1,700 more direct flights from Australia, China, and the United States, combined. These countries were the three main sources of visitor arrivals to New Zealand.”

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Net migration falls in 2024 – Stats NZ media and information release: International migration: December 2024

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Source: Statistics New Zealand

Net migration falls in 2024 – 17 February 2025 – New Zealand had a net migration gain of 27,100 in 2024. This was down from a net gain of 128,300 in 2023, according to provisional estimates released by Stats NZ today.

“Ups and downs in net migration are a feature of New Zealand’s history. These have been much larger in 2023 and 2024,” international migration statistics spokesperson Sarah Drake said.

Annually, net migration rose by just over 100,000 in 2023 and fell by a similar amount in 2024. There was still a net migration gain overall.

“The main driver of the fall in net migration in 2024 was fewer migrant arrivals of non-New Zealand passport holders,” Drake said.

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Weather News – A Muggy and Wet Week – humidity is back! – MetService

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Source: MetService

Covering period of Monday 17th -Thursday 20th February – ‘Warm and moist’ is the name of the game this week with a swath of tropical air over Aotearoa New Zealand. Rain, associated with a low-pressure system from the north, continues to fall on the North Island today (Monday). The Coromandel Peninsula to the Kaimai Range, and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti north of Tolaga Bay are under Orange Heavy Rain Warnings until 8 and 9pm respectively today.  

MetService Meteorologist Katie Hillyer says, “We’ve already seen 200mm of rainfall recorded at the Pinnacles on the Coromandel Peninsula over the last 24 hours, which, even given the exposure of this mountainous station, is very impressive.” MetService expects a further 70-90mm of rain to fall in those areas today.

High humidity will be felt across the North Island too. “Warm humid air with plenty of cloud cover acts like an insulative blanket, meaning warmer nights and uncomfortable sleeps this week,” says Hillyer. The poster child of this effect being Rotorua, who only saw a 2°C difference between their maximum yesterday and their minimum this morning. Honourable mentions to Whanganui and Hawkes Bay, where temperatures are set to crack 30°C over the next couple of days – a distinct change to the cool summer they’ve experienced in the east thus far.  

Overnight, the main action switches from northeastern areas of the North Island to the South Island with rain associated with an approaching low-pressure system from the Tasman Sea. The Ranges of the Tasman District have been upgraded to an Orange Warning, with 80-100mm expected to fall between 9pm tonight and 7am tomorrow. A Heavy Rain Watch is also in place for the Richmond and Bryant Ranges. Rain will spread into eastern parts of the South Island tomorrow morning, soaking some of those dry soils.  

“Thunderstorms could also be on the cards Tuesday afternoon and evening for Canterbury down to Southland, as well as Westland through to Buller,” warns Hillyer. Periods of rain will continue across much of the country through to Thursday, with today and Tuesday being the most active days.  

“Cloudy and wet will be the real descriptors for much of the country until Thursday and into Friday, when a ridge of high pressure starts trying to push out that humidity and bring in some fresher air,” says Hillyer.  

Please keep up to date with the most current information from MetService at http://www.metservice.com/national/home

MIL OSI

Police pleased to report no significant issues at Taumarunui gang event

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Attributable to Senior Sergeant Grant Alabaster, Ruapehu Response Manager:

Police are pleased to report no significant issues following a gang gathering in the Taumarunui area.

An operation to monitor the behaviour of those involved was carried out by Police, monitoring the gathering and the impact on the roads. Additional Police were deployed to assist with road policing and community reassurance.

Ahead of the event, Police worked with the organisers and set clear expectations around behaviour to ensure there was minimal impact to the local community.

No arrests were made and Police did not observe any anti-social or unlawful behaviour.

We would like to thank the members of the public and a number of local businesses for their patience. Police will continue to monitor the movements of the gathering as it comes to an end.

Members of the public are urged to report any instances of unlawful activity to us, so we can take appropriate action. In instances we are unable to immediately act we will note down identifying details and follow up later.

Please contact 111 if it is happening now, or report non-emergencies online via 105.police.govt.nz or by calling 105.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

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